Slidable sash and latch assembly



Oct. 25, 1966 w. o. JOHNSON 3,280,511

SLIDABLE SASH AND LATCH ASSEMBLY Filed Aug. 13, 1964 j 6 2 v 2/ I a 5 /4 F 1 I I 5 I /j 5 FIG. 2 FIG.3

INVENTOR. WALDO O. JOHNSON ATT'YS.

United States Patent 3,280,511 SLIDABLE SASH AND LATCH ASSEMBLY Waldo 0. Johnson, Wooster, Ohio, assignor to Weather- Seal Ina, Barberton, flhio Filed Aug. 13, 1964, Ser. No. 389,257 2 Claims. (Cl. 49-446) The present invention relates to slidable sash constructions, particularly such as double hung sashes that are received in suitable jam-b liners for slidable operative positioning therein.

At the present time, many different types of sliding sash constructions have been provided commercially, and one unit that is particularly desirable and has been used commercially in good quantities at the present time is a metallic sash that is received in a metallic jamb liner. These units usually are prime windows in a house or other building, and in nearly all instances these sashes are slidably positioned and may have some removability provided in the means engaging the sash in positioning it in the jamb liner whereby the sash can be removed for cleaning and other purposes. When an upper sash is provided with a suspension balance, it is desirable to lock this upper sash in a lowered position for convenient accessability for cleaning action, or for removing, as desired, and it is very desirable to retain a portion of the sash balance in an accessible position when the sash is removed.

The general object of the present invention is to provide a novel and improved sash positioning means in a wina slidably positioned window sash and be adapted to engage the jamb liner means provide therefor to aid in providing controlled sliding vertical movement of the sash and to lock the window sash in a lowered position.

novel and improved but inexpensive means are provided for retaining a part of the sash balance in a fixed, accessible position when the associated sash is removed.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be made more apparent as the specification proceeds.

hung window assembly including an upper sash embodying the principles of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary vertical section taken on line 33 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a slide block and latch means assembly of the means shown in FIG. 1.

When referring to corresponding members shown in the drawing and referred to in the specification, corresponding numerals are used to facilitate comparison therebetween.

Generally speaking, the present invention, as one embodiment thereof, relates to the combination of a sash that is slidably positioned in a window jamb, and where Patented Oct. 25, 1965 a jam'b liner is provided that has at least a pair of vertically extending flanges extending laterally inwardly thereengage the opening and prevent upward movement of the sash when lowered to associate the latch with the opening in the jamb liner, position if the sash is disengaged from the block.

Having particular reference to the details of the structure shown in the drawings, FIG. 1 shows a vertically extending jamb that forms a portion of a suitable window frame 2 positioned in a building. The jamb 1 may have an inner and an outer stop 3 and 4, respectively, provided in association therewith and a pair of slidably positioned double hung lower and upper sashes, indicated as a whole by the numerals 5 and 6, .are shown in this frame 2. Usually the sashes 5 and 6 are positioned upon some suittable type of a metal jamb liner 7 so as to slidably engage therewith for vertical movement. The jam-b liner 7 may be of any desired construction and usually is positioned for adjustable lateral movement with relation to the jamb 1 to aid in obtaining a resilient sealed joint with lateral margins of the sashes 5 and 6.

In the present invention, it is desired that some suitable type of a balance means (not shown) he provided for aid in positioning and moving the upper sash 6 in the frame 2, and thus a balance cable or strip 8 is shown extending vertically of the jamb 1. Any conventional type of balance means may be positioned in operative association with the upper sash 6.

FIG. 2 of the drawings best shows that the jamb liner 7 has a pair of parallel vertically extending flanges 9 and it) formed thereon and a vertically extending side sash '6 is of generally U-shape in section with opposed portions of the sash rail 11 being slidably positioned by and engaged between the flanges 9 and 10. Any suitable seal means, indicated by the fibrous strips 12, may be positioned intermediate the sash rail 11 and the associated flanges to aid in providing a sealed, or substantially sealed, slidable connection therebetween.

An important feature of the invention is that a member, such as a block 13 that usually is made from a low friction plastic material, such as polyethylene, or nylon, is provided and such block 13 is positioned between opposite portions of the sash rail 11. The block has a laterally outwardly extending section that protrudes laterally beyond the margins of the sash rail 11 and has a vertically extending rib 14 formed thereon. This rib 14 is adapted to engage, slidably, with a vertically extending socket or recess 15 that is provided in the jamb liner 7. Naturally, the rib 14 is suitably engaged with the recess 15, as by telescoping the rib into engagement with the recess at the end of the jamb liner 7 prior to assembly of the components of the apparatus of the invention. The block 12 also is shown as having a laterally inwardly extending shoulder or foot 16 formed thereon which shoulder 16 protrudes laterally inwardly of the upper sash 6 and normally engages the lower end of the sash rail 11 to provide a support action for the upper sash 6 on the balance means, as hereinafter described. Thus the end of the cable or balance strip 8 is suitably secured at its end to this block 13, as by a rivet R, for resilient support action for the upper sash. A runner azsasn P or to retain the block in a fixed i; slide block, similar to the block 13, but with no rib 14 thereon is secured to the sash rail 11 adjacent its upper end to aid in positioning the sash in the jamb liner.

It will be noted that the block 13 preferably is hollow, and a feature of the invention is that a latch 17 is pivotally secured to and normally is primarily positioned within the block 13 by a pin or rivet 18 so that the major portion of the latch 17 extends below the upper sash 6. The latch 17 has a lock shoulder or finger 19 formed thereon and extending laterally outwardly of the upper sash 6 below the lower portion thereof. This lock finger 19 normally has a substantially fiat upper surface and it will engage in a keeper or catch means such as a slot or opening 21 formed in the jamb liner 7 adjacent the lower end thereof. Usually some type of resilient means is provided behind the jamb liner 7 to position it and to permit entry of a portion of the lock finger 19 thereinto for engagement with the slot 21.

The lock finger or latch 17 is urged laterally outwardly of the window assembly at all times, as by means of a coil spring 22 that is compressively received between a recess 23 formed in the latch 17 and an adjacent inner portion of the block 13.

Hence, in operation of the windows of the invention, and particularly the upper sash 6, by the means described, the latch 17 will automatically be urged laterally outwardly into engagement with the slot 21 when the upper sash 6 is, for example, slid down to a lower portion of the frame 2. Then, when it is desired to remove the upper sash from the window frame 2 and associated means, all one needs to do is to raise the upper sash 6 slightly after the latch 17 has engaged the slot and the block 13 slides out of the sash rail 11 and the sash is free for removal from the frame 2. Usually the means engaging the other lateral margin of the sash 6 (not shown) would be resiliently positioned, like the jamb liner 7, whereby laterally outwardly directed forces applied to the sash after the block 13 has been positioned as outlined hereinbefore permits the sash to be with drawn from the jamb liners for cleaning or other action. When the sash is to be replaced, all one need to do is to force one of the vertical rails of the sash against one of its vertically extending jamb liners and then to swing the sash into engagement with its other positioning jamb liner means. Next the upper sash would be moved vertically downwardly to cause the block 13 to be moved into engagement with the lower end of the upper sash and the latch 17 will be withdrawn automatically from the slot 21 by a further lowering of the upper sash. The latch 17 can be moved to an inoperative position by applying pressure to an arm 24 extending laterally inwardly thereof so that the upper sash then can be moved up to a desired position. After a removed sash has been repositioned in engagement with its jamb liners, the latch can be released and the block 13 can be slid up to engage the sash. It will be realized that any desired sash balance means, or no sash balance means, and associated positioning means can be provided at the opposite lteral margin of the upper sash 6, as desired.

While the apparatus described has referred to the upper sash 6, a similar latch member can be provided, if desired, for retaining a sash balance means engaged with the lower sash in a desired position when one wishes to withdraw the lower sash from the window frame assembly 2. With a lower sash unit, the desired latch means would have to be received in the lower portion of the lower sash and usually not extend therebelow but just be removable therefrom when the sash has been raised from its lowermost position.

e I In view of the foregoing, it 1s believed that a sturdy,

attractive and novel slidable sash, balance and latch assembly has been provided. The latch assembly particularly is suitable to maintain the balance means for an upper sash in a slidable double hung window assembly in proper position when it is desired to remove the upper sash from the assembly.

It will be realized that the present invention can be used with sashes having metal rails or wooden rails therein, but that it is particularly suitable for use with sashes and jamb liners that are made from metal, usually by an extrusion action so that desired lengths can be formed to predetermined contours inexpensively and rapidly. Hence, a sturdy and improved slidable sash and latch means has been provided by the invention so that the objects thereof have been achieved.

While one complete embodiment of the invention has been disclosed herein, it will be appreciated that modification of this particular embodiment of the invention may be resorted to without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In an assembly of a sash slidably positioned in a window jamb, the combination of a vertically positioned jamb liner having a vertically directed member thereon and an aperture near the lower end of the jamb liner,

a sash including a vertical side sash rail in the sash slidably engaging said jamb liner,

block means having a recess in its lower surface removably and vertically slidably received in the lower end of said sash rail so as to protrude laterally beyond the edge thereof, said block means slidably engaging said member of said jamb liner in interlocked non-removable relation,

a flange means extending from said block means to engage a portion of said sash rail to limit the vertical upward movement of the block means in relation to said sash rail,

balance means engaging said block means to normally urge said block means upwardly and hence normally urging said sash upwardly,

a latch having its upper end received in said recess and pivotally secured to and depending from a lower portion of said block means, said latch being pivotal to move its lower end, which forms a latch means positioned below said sash, laterally outwardly of said sash rail at all times, and

resilient means urging said latch laterally outwardly with respect to said sash rail to facilitate engagement thereof with the aperture in said jamb liner, whereby said latch means will automatically engage in said aperture and prevent vertically upward movement of the block means to allow vertical" movement of the sash rail and ultimate removal of said sash.

2. In an assembly as in claim 1 where said latch is accessible to be moved manually inwardly of said sash to inoperative position against the action of said resilient means to facilitate upward movement of said sash.

References (Iited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,770,018 11/ 1956 Seibert 2052.4 2,952,884 9/ 1960 Dinsmore 20-522 3,116,520 1/1964 MacGregor 20-522 3,118,190 1/1964 Love -1 2042 HARRISON R. MOSELEY, Primary Examiner. A- L BR ant Exam ner, 

1. IN AN ASSEMBLY OF A SASH SLIDABLY POSITIONED IN A WINDOW JAMB, THE COMBINATION OF A VERTICALLY POSITIONED JAMB LINER HAVING A VERTICALLY DIRECTED MEMBER THEREON AND AN APERTURE NEAR THE LOWER END OF THE JAMB LINER, A SASH INCLUDING A VERTICAL SIDE SASH RAIL IN THE SASH SLIDABLY ENGAGING SAID JAMB LINER, BLOCK MEANS HAVING A RECESS IN ITS LOWER SURFACE REMOVABLY AND VERTICALLY SLIDABLY RECEIVED IN THE LOWER END OF SAID SASH RAIL SO AS TO PROTRUDE LATERALLY BEYOND THE EDGE THEREOF, SAID BLOCK MEANS SLIDABLY ENGAGING SAID MEMBER OF SAID JAMB LINER IN INTERLOCKED NON-REMOVABLE RELATION, A FLANGE MEANS EXTENDING FROM SAID BLOCK MEANS TO ENGAGE A PORTION OF SAID SASH RAIL TO LIMIT THE VERTICAL UPWARD MOVEMENT OF THE BLOCK MEANS IN RELATION TO SAID SASH RAIL, BALANCE MEANS ENGAGDING SAID BLOCK MEANS TO NORMALLY URGE SAID BLOCK MEANS UPWARDLY AND HENCE NORMALLY URGING SAID SASH UPWARDLY, A LATCH HAVING ITS UPPER END RECEIVED IN SAID RECESS AND PIVOTALLY SECURED TO AND DEPENDING FROM A LOWER PORTION OF SAID BLOCK MEANS, SAID LATCH BEING PIVOTAL TO MOVE ITS LOWER END, WHICH FORMS A LATCH MEANS POSITIONED BELOW SAID SASH, LATERALLY OUTWARDLY OF SAID SASH RAIL AT ALL TIMES, AND 